Sermons on Twists And Turns:

When Things Haven't Turned Out The Way You Expected

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 8, 2010

A look at John the Baptist's astonishing admission of doubt about who Jesus is and why we often have similar doubts.

OUR COMPLAINT: “This is not what I signed up for.” - Matthew 11:2a – John in prison. - I cannot read the mind of John, but I can’t help but believe that a prison cell was the last place he expected to end up. - He is the great prophet of God, the forerunner of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Doesn't "Turning The Other Cheek" Just Make Me A Doormat? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 13, 2010

A look at one of Jesus more difficult teachings and why it's worth our obedience.

- Our first reaction to reading Jesus’ words here is likely to be disbelief. “Is He serious? You’ve got to be kidding me!” - Which leads us to our first question. . . What Was He Thinking? Is Jesus naïve, stupid, or insightful? - Matthew 5:39-42. a. Is Jesus naïve? - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected!

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 7, 2015

John the Baptist was an unexpected person bringing an unexpected message at an unexpected time. A communion sermon for Advent.

Every one of us has certain expectations at Christmas. We expect to buy gifts and we expect to receive gifts. We expect the lights and the colors and the sights and the sounds of the season. We expect to eat a lot! We expect long lines in the department stores, and apparently this year more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

All Is Not What It Seems Series

Contributed by Andy Stanley on Sep 18, 2009

A sermon bringing to light the "unseen" worlds that impact our lives and how the truth is sometimes hidden behind the trappings and events of this twisted world.

In the late 1800s, doctors and scientists believed in something called spontaneous generation. Spontaneous generation . . . the idea behind spontaneous generation was that living organisms could suddenly pop up anywhere from non-living organisms, and this pretty much explained, in the late 1800s, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Into The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Jul 5, 2012

What I at first thought was a dry and boring book with no relevance to my life, turned out to be one of the most profound and exciting books in the bible, with full of application to my life! Learn how to make it through the "wilderness" of this life suc

Into the Wilderness Series: A Biblical Guide to Wilderness Survival August 14, 2010 I have to admit to you this morning that I’m scared to death about what I’m about to do! Today, I’m starting a new message series, but let me tell you what I’m really scared ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 1:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sin Changes Things

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 15, 2009

Sin dampens our ability to hear and know what God desires. Sin takes the beauty of our relationship with God and it twists and perverts it into a ritualistic ceremony with NO meaning.

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: July 26, 2005 Date Preached: July 27, 2005 Church: OZHBC (PM) Wed Night FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: Sin Changes things Text: Gen 3:1-15 Introduction: We have many names for it… we call it a mistake, a slip up, a feaux paux, missing the mark, rebellion… We call ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

When He Was On The Cross, You Were On His Mind Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 29, 2018

Four important things that happened when Jesus was crucified.

INTRODUCTION It’s been my joy to lead hundreds of Holy Land visitors to a cliff outside Jerusalem that looks like the face of a skull. You can see indentions in the rock that look like the eye sockets of a skull. Even after twenty centuries of erosion, the cliff still resembles a skull. And many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-39

Denomination: Baptist

Help Is On The Way PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 21, 2024

This sermon explores the comfort, guidance, and hope Jesus promises in John 16, even amidst life's trials, through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Welcome, dear friends, to another day of divine fellowship. We are gathered here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. Our hearts, like sunflowers, turn towards the light of His word, eager to soak in its life-giving radiance. Today, we find ourselves standing together on the fertile ground of ...read more

Topics: Holy Spirit

From Warrior To Sorrier Then Back Again Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Oct 23, 2017

There was an alter sacrifice and the prophets of Baal keep chanting "oh, Baal, answer us!" for many hours, but nothing happened. Then, Elijah offered up a short prayer and God consumed the sacrifice. But soon after things took a turn for the worst.

FROM A WARRIOR PRAYER TO A SORRIER PRAYER (THEN BACK AGAIN) INTRODUCTION: When I went through the Lord's Prayer a couple of weeks ago in regards to Jesus telling us to not pray as the pagans do I mentioned the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. There was an alter sacrifice and the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:36-40, 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Three "D's" Of Purpose

Contributed by Gregory Fisher on Jul 4, 2004

This is a "Great Commission" message that I have preached in the USA this year to congregations ranging from 700 to 2500 in Attendance. It has a bit of a post-modern twist to it.

The Three “D’s” of Purpose Introduction: Of course some people here might we wondering, “WHY did pastor have a MISSIONARY come and speak here this MORNING/EVENING?” Illus: My Dad had a schoolmate from Bible College and he was known as the missionary who always preached the RIGHT length of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-19

Denomination: Foursquare

Afraid And Alone: How David Turned Terror Into Triumph - 1 Samuel 21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 15, 2025

When every option looks hopeless, can you trust God to make a way? David did.

Psalm 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those ...read more

Ready For The Journey Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 26, 2023

The wise men are a surprising twist to the narrative from Matthew. What does their presence indicate and how does getting to know them help us prepare for Christmas?

You may have noticed the chalkboard signs that are scattered around the church building. Each has a different saying- “Be the Branch,” “Catch the Wind,” “Wreck the Roof,” “Grip the Plow,” and “Empty the Jar.” They come from a small group video Bible study our groups participated in a while back. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Authorities Distinguished Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 19, 2021

The plot was to twist Jesus' words in order to accuse Him. To accomplish this trickery Jewish authorities, attempt to implicate Jesus in rebellion against the Roman Government.

LUKE 20: 20-26 [JESUS’ LAST WEEK SERIES] AUTHORITIES DISTINGUISHED [Roman 13:1–7] The leaders now step back from personally trying to discredit the popular teacher. They hire spies to do their dirty work hoping to catch Jesus off guard as the spies’ act interested and innocent. Christ though ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

What You Asked For

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Nov 11, 2024

I truly believe that America is at a turning point and that is not a turn into a better direction like what is supposedly believed, but a turning around point that is headed back to a time we have struggled and fought to come away from.

“What you asked for” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. PRAYER OPENING: - Well, the election is over, and our next President is what America wanted and now must be prepared to receive what it asked for, a man that was impeached 2 times, left office and hid classified documents in his bathroom, was ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:6, Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Apostolic

Character Assassination

Contributed by Joshua Brett on Aug 18, 2006

When my charactewr is under attack - will I stand?

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION Romans 5:1-4 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal